Friday, October 31, 2008

It was on this date, 129 years ago, that Union Major General Joseph Hooker passed away, just two weeks shy of his sixty-fifth birthday.

Although it was the late nineteenth century and the average life expectancy wasn't what it is today, 64 was still rather young. Perhaps his early demise had something to do with his tenure in command of the Army of the Potomac. . .

Let's take a closer look.

George McClellan, who organized and twice led the AoP, died in 1885. . .at the age of 58.

When Ambrose Burnside died in 1881, he was only in his fifty-seventh year.

George Meade was the first AoP commanders to go. He died in 1872, at age 56.

And what about Grant? OK, so he didn't technically have sole command of the AoP, but still, when he died in 1885 he was 63.

And while were on the topic, let's look at Irvin McDowell. The army he led at 1st Bull Run was not yet titled the AoP, but for all intents and purposes it was close enough. When he died in 1885, he was 66.

And finally there was John Pope, commander of the Army of Virginia + some AoP units at 2nd Bull Run. He fared better than his compatriots, at least in terms of longevity. . .he died in 1892 at the ripe old age of 70.

So perhaps there was something about leading this army that caused an early demise. Maybe it was having to put up with Lincoln. . .or Robert E. Lee.

Thursday, October 30, 2008

The past several days have been overcast with gray skies, biting winds, cold rain and even some snow flurries here in Gettysburg, but the clouds finally lifted overnight. And this morning the sun was shining brightly, welcoming a beautiful Fall day. I was not going to let this morning pass by while cooped up inside, thinking about work and bills and the thousands of other distractions that all too often define our days. So I set out, hoping to recapture a little of the magic that is Gettysburg.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I spent the morning on the southern portion of the battlefield, around the Wheatfield and Stony Top. Everything was quiet; no school buses, no scout groups, in fact, no one. I had the field all to myself.

As the sun rose over Little Round Top to the east, the Fall colors were illuminated . . .

. . .and the monuments brilliantly shined.

As I wandered about, I couldn't help but think about Joshua Chamberlain's famous passage from a speech he delivered in Gettysburg in October 1888 at the dedication of the Maine monuments. "In great deeds, something abides," said the aging warrior, and "On great fields, something stays."

I couldn't agree more. . ."Forms change and pass; bodies disappear," said Chamberlain, "but spirits linger, to consecrate ground for the vision place of souls. And reverent men and women from afar, and generations that know us not and that we know not of, heart-drawn to see where and by whom great things were suffered and done for them, shall come to this deathless field, to ponder and dream; and lo! the shadow of a mighty presence shall wrap them in its bosom, and the power of the vision pass into their souls."

When I was younger, when I traveled to Gettysburg with my family, there was this certain, indescribable but undeniable magic about these consecrated grounds; an unspoken aura, if you will, that surrounded me. The spirits Chamberlain referred to seemed more real to me then. The fields were, indeed, deathless. I could see the struggles; ghostly silhouettes of soldiers in blue and gray forming into lines of battle, charging across the open ground. I got lost as I scanned the peaceful landscapes, thinking to myself, this is where the soldiers fought, this is where so many died. I wasn't yet caught up in the detailed, tactical maneuverings of certain units, or in the controversial decisions of certain generals that continue to generate heated arguments. No, I was simply overwhelmed by the thought that it was on these fields and on these hills where history was made. I was there to "ponder and dream."

Yet, as the years passed and I got older, I grew increasingly more cynical; more concerned with the debates and discussions that define modern Civil War historiography. I suppose it was inevitable. You get wrapped up in the controversies and soon history becomes almost scientific. The battlefields' hallowed grounds all-too often simply become chessboards on which you place and move regiments, brigades, divisions, all in keeping with the chronology of the battle. You struggle to memorize orders of battle, to determine with precise accuracy the range of muskets and cannon. Official reports and the arguments posited by historians assume more importance than the fields themselves. The soldiers who fought and died appear less as they were: living, breathing human beings with hopes, dreams, and fears; they become automatons, no longer young men in our mind's eye, but mere statistics.

Throughout it all, the magic of these fields somehow becomes lost.

But every now and then, I am able to recapture a little of that magic that was so prevalent when I was a kid. I can wander the fields without thinking of the timeline, the precise troop locations, the motivations behind enlistments, the controversies. . .

This morning, I was reminded that in great deeds, something does abide, and on great fields, something does, indeed, stay.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

I had the great privilege today to participate in a symposium commemorating the life and forgotten services of Columbia, Pennsylvania's "favorite son," Brigadier General Thomas Welsh. I have a great interest in those Civil War figures who have never fully received their due, including Welsh. What particular draws me to General Welsh is the similarities between him and Brigadier General James Nagle, who I have championed on this blog for the past two years. Welsh and Nagle were natives of Pennsylvania, both served as volunteers in the Mexican-American War (Nagle as a captain, Welsh as a sergeant and then lieutenant), both became leading members of the respective communities, Nagle of Pottsville and Welsh of Columbia, and both answered the nation's call again in 1861. Nagle organized the 48th Pennsylvania, Welsh, the 45th Pennsylvania. Both units served in the 9th Corps, and both Welsh and Nagle would rise to the rank of brigadier general of volunteers. And, sadly, both died way too young. Welsh succumbed to malaria in August 1863 at the age of thirty-nine; Nagle died of heart disease almost exactly three years later, in August 1866, at the age of forty-four. Because of my interest in both Welsh and the 9th Corps, an interest that dates a long ways back, when I was asked earlier this year if I would be interested in participating, I jumped at the chance. I am very glad that I did so.

Mr. Rick Wiggin, a descendant of General Welsh, organized this symposium event, the second annual. In addition to my presentation, the were three others that addressed Welsh's service in the Mexican War (where he fell seriously wounded at Buena Vista, a musket ball shattering his leg), the burning of the Columbia-Wrightsville Bridge on June 28, 1863, and the reaction of the people of Columbia to the memorable, if sometimes overstated event, including that of Welsh's wife, Annie, and, finally, Welsh's legacy to his community and his country.

The symposium started at 1:00 p.m., but I arrived in Columbia an hour or so ahead of schedule so I figured I'd pay my respects to the general, buried in the Mount Bethel Cemetery.

As I searched the graveyard, I, of course, snapped some pictures of other Civil War burials. One grave that caught my attention was that of Major Edward Kelsey, of the 45th PA, mortally wounded at Cold Harbor. Note the very distinctive 9th Corps badge on the stone:

As I continued walking through the cemetery, I came across another interesting grave, that of George W. Derrick, a 43-year-old private in Company B, 45th, who was killed in action at the Crater in July 1864.

At last, I came upon General Welsh's burial site. Welsh survived bullets in two wars, only to fall victim to malaria during the final days of the Vicksburg campaign in the summer of 1863.

After wandering through the cemetery, I made my way to the Columbia Public Library, which sponsored the symposium. It was a great pleasure to meet Mr. Wiggin, and the other presenters. I spoke of Welsh's role at the battle of Antietam, and argued that not only was the battle one of missed opportunities for the Army of the Potomac, but it was also one of missed opportunities for Thomas Welsh as well. He and his men stood on the precipice of greater laurels during the 9th Corps's afternoon attack against Lee's critical right flank, only to have that opportunity vanish when orders were received to fall back just as Welsh's men were reaching the very streets of Sharpsburg itself and just on the verge of a decided victory. Judging from the feedback I received, the talk went over very well with both my fellow presenters and the audience, which numbered well over fifty people. Seeing the great turnout and appreciating Mr. Wiggin's efforts in helping to shed light on Welsh's forgotten service, I am somewhat tempted to organize a similar symposium-type event commemorating General Nagle. Stay tuned.

In addition to the great pleasure it was to participate, I had the opportunity to view many of Thomas Welsh's personal effects, generously displayed by Mr. Rick Abel, an avid collector of Welsh artifacts and memorabilia.

Welsh's epaulettes. . .note the circular "45's" and the eagles, plus the star on the epaulette, each indicating rank.

Welsh's personal trunk. This trunk was sent home following Welsh's death, containing the general's personal items.

Last, but certainly not least, I had the honor of holding Welsh's Civil War combat sword. . .a sword he very well may have wielded during the heavy action at South Mountain and Antietam.

Friday, October 24, 2008

As you know, I am an avid collector of 48th Pennsylvania items, especially those little cartes-de-visties. Although I have but 20 or so, I still like to think that I have great collection. Several weeks ago, I was searching a very popular Internet auction site and came across the following two unidentified CDV's:

Call it a hunch, but I somehow knew that these guys were, indeed, 48th PA soldiers. There is a good chance at least that they were. Here's some of my reasoning: They were put up by the same seller, and it is apparent that the two images came from the same album. They were both cropped to fit into a CDV album, and whoever did the cutting, well, in his/her infinite wisdom, snipped off the soldiers' names! As you can see, only the tops of the names remain. For the bottom of the two pictures, though, I think with a little investigation I can figure out the name. Also, these images were both snapped at the Elrod Brothers Photographers studio in downtown Lexington, Kentucky. The 48th was on provost duty in Lexington for over six months during the summer of 1863; they had little to do, it seems, but get pictures made, and I have in my collection several that were taken in the very same studio. . .with the very same podium and very same flag. Another big hint is the top fellow's Burnside sideburns. Since the 48th served under Burnside for most of the war, and since they loved the man, many adopted the general's trademark whiskers.

Perhaps I will never be able to identify these guys with 100% certainty, but the price was right and they are now a part of my collection. I have them next to their supposed comrades in the 48th. If anyone recognizes these any of these two fellas as their great-great whatever, and if that great-great whatever served in the 48th. . .do drop me a line.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

In just two short weeks, Americans will elect their next president, the nation's forty-fourth. No matter the victor, this year's election will no doubt go down as a historic one. But perhaps America's most historic presidential election, and certainly the most significant, occurred 148 years ago, in November 1860.

With threats of secession and the "momentous issue of civil war" at stake, and as the nation headed further toward that "irrepressible conflict," Americans elected Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois. Although he received the lowest percentage of votes in American history (less than 40%), and although his name did not even appear on the ballots in several of the Deep South states, Lincoln prevailed in large part due to the divided Democratic Party--which ran two candidates, Stephen Douglas and John Breckinridge--and yet another contender, John Bell, of the short-lived Constitutional Union Party. Following Lincoln's election, America entered, in the words of Henry Adams, the "Great Secession Winter" of 1860-1861, during which seven states left the Union while the lame-duck president James Buchanan did little, if anything, to stop them. To say, then, that president-elect Lincoln would assume a difficult challenge upon entering the White House in March 1861 would be an exercise in understatement.

Being both fascinated by Abraham Lincoln and having a great interest in American presidential history, I agreed several weeks ago to read and review Lincoln President Elect, by Harold Holzer, one of the nation's foremost Lincoln scholars. With nearly 500 pages of text, this book provides a detailed day-by-day and, in some cases, minute-by-minute account of Abraham Lincoln's actions and decisions from his election in early November 1860 until his inauguration in early March 1861. With a clear and fast-paced style, Holzer takes us through Lincoln's period of "masterly inactivity" as the nation drifted apart and explains Lincoln's stoicism in refusing to agree to or promote any kind of compromise that would address the "grievances" of the South and attempt to save the Union by essentially overturning the decision of the American people in electing Lincoln. We learn of Lincoln's efforts to establish a presidential image, the difficulties he encountered in trying to shape his Cabinet, and how he was continually besieged, even plagued by office-seekers. At the same time, Holzer recounts Lincoln's historic inaugural journey, including his infamous passage through Baltimore, and his drafting of his famed first inaugural address. In summarizing Lincoln's actions during that Great Secession Winter, Holzer writes, "[He] had successfully maintained a masterly inactivity and public silence to prevent the spread of slavery, privately fought a bare-knuckle political battle to bar unprincipled compromise, and brilliantly introduced himself to the press and people of the North with a new look, new images, and a new style of informal oratory along a triumphant voyage to the capital. And then, despite a giant step backward at Baltimore that might have crippled less agile leaders, he had recaptured public confidence while harmonizing a balanced and brilliant cabinet. And," concludes Holzer, "he had crafted one of the nimblest and most eloquent of all inaugural addresses, one that not only reiterated his devotion to the rule of law and invoked the emotional power of national tradition, but maintained that slavery could be maintained without compromising founding principles." [Pg. 458]

In the end, Holzer presents a convincing challenge to the established notion of a wavering, uncommitted, and perhaps even delusional Abraham Lincoln in the wake of his election. At the same time, he further cements himself as an eminent Lincoln scholar. I enjoyed reading Lincoln President Elect and believe that others, with similar interests in Civil War and presidential history, will enjoy it as well. In the seemingly endless catalog of Lincoln titles that has already appeared and will continue to do so over the next year as Americans commemorate the 200th Anniversary of Lincoln's birth, this work will surely rank among the best and most important.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A little over six months ago--back on April 5--I launched an effort to restore the 48th PA monument at Antietam by raising money to replace the missing sword from the bronze statue of Brigadier General James Nagle.

I have been most pleased with the progress thus far of this undertaking and have gotten some good press, including a full-page in the current (November) issue of America's Civil War.

Today I received a generous donation that brought the total amount of money raised over the $4,000.00 mark.

This means we need just $2,800.00 to go. I anticipated the fundraising to last over a year, but at this rate it seems we will get there sooner rather than later.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Which well-known Civil War figure was Confederate General Alexander Lawton referring to when he wrote the following?

"[He] holds himself as the god of war, giving short, sharp commands distinctly, rapidly and decisively, without consultation or explanation, and disregarding suggestions and remonstrances. Being himself absolutely fearless. . .he goes ahead on his hook, asking no advice and resenting interference. He places no value on human life, caring for nothing so much as fighting, unless it be praying. Illness, wounds and all disabilities he defines as inefficiency and indications of a lack of patriotism. Suffering from insomnia, he often uses his men as a sedative, and when he can't sleep calls them up, marches them out a few miles; then marches them back. He never praises his men for gallantry, because it is their duty to be gallant and they do not deserve credit for doing their duty."

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Aside from a number of private tours at Antietam, I've been a little swamped of late. This past Monday I began my part-time career as an online instructor through AMU, which is taking a bit of getting used to. I am also working on an article and a presentation for an upcoming symposium/meeting of the General Thomas Welsh Society, which will take place on October 25, in Columbia, PA. And I've been busy working on a number of other projects. . .

Once the dust settles and things return a bit to normal, I'll return with new posts, including a review of Harold Holzer's newest, and quite timely, publication, Lincoln: President Elect.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

My studies have taken a bit of a detour lately from the Civil War some fifteen years or so earlier to America's conflict with Mexico, 1846-1848. This past Thursday, I picked up A Gallant Little Army: The Mexico City Campaign, by Timothy Johnson (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2007), and I have been completely enthralled since. I am almost embarrassed to admit that I know relatively little about the Mexican-American War, so on my day off Friday I paid a visit to the Gettysburg College library determined to create a bibliography of sorts as something of a "jumping off point" for further study. I wanted to keep it rather brief, but as I began combing the shelves and raiding the bibliographies of published works, I soon found that I filled no less than ten pages with source materials. Perhaps the war is not as understudied as I previously imagined. . .

One thing that kept leaping out at me were the number of published letters and diaries kept by young Army officers who would later gain fame or notoriety during the Civil War. These young officers were quite prolific in their writings and correspondence, as if they believed they were in the midst of the adventure of their lifetimes, having no idea, of course, that they would be fighting one another a decade and a half later. Below is listing of such published works. If there are any I am missing, please let me know. . .I can't wait to dig in!

About Me

Civil War Historian, Writer, and Park Ranger at the Antietam National Battlefield and Gettysburg National Military Park; Instructor of American History, Civil War History, and Mexican-American War History at American Military University.
[The thoughts and postings on this page are entirely my own and in no way are meant to reflect those of my employers].